Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen: My personal thoughts

I enjoy reading the use of figurative and colourful languages which emphasizes the war scene. However creative and innovative the imagery and words are, I feel that the writer has successfully managed to illicit the sense of sympathy for those who have suffered in war.

Dulce et Decorum Est truly lead me to imagine about the horrifying and unbearable ordeals which transformed into nightmares for the soldiers. I have never experienced a war which is as close to me as this poem. It pains me to "see" the soldiers struggling to carry on with their journey. Despite the fatigue, wounds and hunger they were probably experiencing then, these boys could not stop until they reach a safe destination. After seeing the descriptions of their pitiful state, I thought the poem would further describe about how they have managed to arrive at their safety camps. Instead, the poem talks about how the confused and exhausted young soldiers had accidentally let loose a poison gas bomb and how the soldiers had frantically put on their gas masks. Unfortunately, things did not turn out so well when one of their comrades was killed by the poisonous gas.

This scene puts me into thinking about the scene of a real war. I realise that danger was imminent all the time during war. No matter if the soldiers are away from the main battlefield, or in their camps. Anything could happen and anyone could have caused an accident easily. One moment, your comrade and best friend could be standing beside you and chatting with you. The next moment, there is a chaotic scene and...your friend is gone. Such things do happen in war all the time and I believe many of these young soldiers in those times were actually not prepared to leave their closest companions in the army.

At the second half of Dulce et Decorum Est, it describes the scene of the writer having nightmare and being unable to shake away the haunting scene of his comrade's pale motionless face. Honestly, I would not even bear to see my comrade die in front of me. I mean, no one would hope for the worst, would they? And when their friends die, the scene often clings onto their minds endearingly until they retire or pass away. The descriptions in the poem makes me sympathise with the soldier who was suffering from these nightmares. I truly hope I would not have to suffer from these ordeals in future (touchwood) because I am someone who cherishes my friends and would not bear to leave them. (:D) I believe this portion of the poem would definitely have thrown a warning at those who were considering to join the army.

Overall, I feel that this poem is rather sad, but conveys a very strong message--that is to encourage others not to join war. The title of the poem: Dulce et Decorum Est means Sweet and Fitting (to die for one's country). It is probably a sarcastic remark and aims to satirized the government for encouraging so many boys to join the army. Wilfred Owen is probably one of the victims who has suffered the ordeals of war. The overall tone and emotions of the poem are hatred and serene atmosphere. It probably aims to illicit the audience's feelings.